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Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

William Curtis William Curtis New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS OD5955

Revenue

$1.2bn

2024

$1.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xm

Employees

8,138

Businesses

244

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry analysis

The Fixed Wireless Internet Service Providers (ISPs) sector in the US has experienced remarkable growth supported by federal initiatives. Programs like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and the Connect America Fund have been pivotal in bridging the broadband gap in underserved regions by providing necessary funding and incentives for infrastructure development. These initiatives have encouraged fixed wireless ISPs to expand their coverage, adopt advanced technologies and invest in long-term business sustainability.

Trends and Insights

  • Internet demand has soared, especially in rural areas, as more people rely on digital platforms for work. Fixed wireless broadband providers are raking in the benefits but have faced backlash over price hikes.
  • Licensed fixed wireless is carving out a premium market by offering exclusive, interference-free connections. Its appeal to enterprise customers, boosted by the advancements of 5G, ensures steady revenue through premium pricing.
  • Fixed wireless ISPs are a game-changer for rural areas. They offer reliable internet access where cable and fiber-optic infrastructures are too costly to build, thanks in part to initiatives like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
  • Price competition has grown more intense as the industry has become inundated with new entrants, both large and small. Bundled services have begun to penetrate the market to gain leverage and further entice clientele.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 15.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Providers experience rising demand for remote internet services

  • Industry players experienced a significant spike in demand during 2020 and the years since the pandemic. With millions conducting business on digital and hybrid platforms, reliable internet access has become essential. Despite many regions benefiting from infrastructure upgrades during the period, there are many rural areas that still lack broadband connections and internet availability.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Service providers will likely diversify their offerings

  • To meet the growing demand for reliable internet services, will increasingly expand their portfolios to provide tailored solutions for specific customers. With a significant portion of the population permanently relying on remote technology, industry players will look to open new revenue streams in areas such as telemedicine and online education, while also providing solutions for small businesses.

Biggest companies in the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Licensed Fixed Wireless, Unlicensed Fixed Wireless and LBR Fixed Wireless. Licensed Fixed Wireless is the largest segment of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US.

Trends and Insights

Licensed Fixed Wireless drives reliable connections and revenue

  • Licensed Fixed Wireless involves using spectrum that is regulated and requires a license, ensuring exclusive use. Its regulated nature provides a stable and interference-free connection, appealing to enterprise customers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Wireless internet service providers (WISPs), also known as fixed wireless broadband providers, use fixed terrestrial wireless networks to provide internet access, usually in rural areas. Most WISPs use unlicensed spectrum and are locally based. This industry does not include mobile broadband services provided by major telecommunications companies.

What's included in this industry?

Providing wireless broadband internet accessProviding wireless internet backbone and carrier servicesProviding support for virtual private networking servicesProviding off-site data storage

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

SPECTRUMBROADBANDWI-FIWIRELESS INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (WISP)WIRELESS

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 51791 - Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Internet demand has soared, especially in rural areas, as more people rely on digital platforms for work. Fixed wireless broadband providers are raking in the benefits but ha...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Licensed fixed wireless is carving out a premium market by offering exclusive, interference-free connections. Its appeal to enterprise customers, boosted by the advancements ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Fixed wireless ISPs are a game-changer for rural areas. They offer reliable internet access where cable and fiber-optic infrastructures are too costly to build, thanks in par...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Price competition has grown more intense as the industry has become inundated with new entrants, both large and small. Bundled services have begun to penetrate the market to ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

To bring high-speed broadband internet to several US states, Rise (RB) has partnered with Mimosa to deliver this product. By using Mimosa’s PTMP (point-to-multipoint) product...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Demand for internet connectivity has boomed over the last decade, with broadband and internet connections multiplying dramatically. This growth has prompted a healthy wave of...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Industry profitability has waned amid heightened price competition between wireless internet service providers. As more entrants have penetrated the market, both small enterp...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States is $1.2bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 244 businesses in the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 32.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 15.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US in United States include?

    Providing wireless broadband internet access and Providing wireless internet backbone and carrier services are part of the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the Wireless Internet Service Providers in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Telecommunications Resellers in the US
    • Internet Service Providers in the US

    Complementors

    • Wireless Telecommunications Carriers in the US
    • Radar & Satellite Operations in the US

    International industries

    • Global Internet Service Providers
    • Internet Service Providers in Australia
    • Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals in New Zealand
    • Internet Service Providers in the UK
    • Internet Services in China

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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